Damari Goldsmith-Greene readies for his opponent as the bench looks on at the mat. / Courtesy photo
The wrestling team has been stuck on seven wins for the past four seasons.
In each of the past four seasons, the Whitman-Hanson Regional High wrestling team has won seven matches. So, it’s pretty obvious what it’s looking to accomplish this winter.
“Our first goal is to win eight-plus matches,” said fourth-year head coach Gary Rabinovitz.
The Panthers’ prowess on the mat should help them reach that goal.
“This year’s team strength is its past experience on the mat,” said Rabinovitz, whose club went 7-20 last season. “We may only have one or two first-year wrestlers in the starting lineup.”
Junior captain Damari Goldsmith-Greene (138 pounds) leads the way for the Panthers. One of three Panthers who wrestled in the Division 2 state tournament last winter, Goldsmith-Greene posted a team-high 29 wins and was tabbed a Patriot League All-Star.
“Damari has great deal of natural ability, speed and determination are his keys to success,” Rabinovitz said.
Senior captain Steve Brooks, who was hampered by an injury last season, was a state qualifier at 152 pounds. This season, he bumps up to the 160-pound weight class.
“Steve had a very good junior season and the key to his success is his legs,” Rabinovitz said. “Steve is a very good leg wrestler and can pin just about anyone with his favorite move. Steve worked very hard in the offseason.”
Senior Bethany Ralph also captains W-H and is looking to build off of a second-place finish at 120 pounds in the first-ever girls’ state tournament last season.
“Bethany has worked very hard in the offseason and it will be the key to her quest for a state championship,” Rabinovitz said.
Freshmen Braden Kain (132 pounds) and Maddox Colcough (195 pounds), juniors Myles McInnis (126 pounds) and Aiden O’Brien (132 pounds) and sophomore Pat Collett (152 pounds) will also be key to W-H’s success this season.
W-H will be back on the mat Saturday, Jan. 10 at 10 a.m. when it hosts the Whitman-Hanson Tournament.
“I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams this year and be very competitive all season long,” Rabinovitz said.